Method and apparatus for removal of harmonic noise

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a power transmission line transmitting electricity at a primary frequency includes a filter and a controller coupled to the sensor and to an actuator-generator. The filter separates electricity at a harmonic of a primary frequency from the electrical signal transmitted by the power transmission line. The controller is configured to modulate consumption of electricity from the power transmission line. The consumption is controlled by electrical actuation of the actuator-generator, such that the electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes consumption of electricity from the power transmission line at a harmonic of the primary frequency. The actuator-generator is coupled to an elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120,as a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/663,766, filed Oct. 30, 2012, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORREMOVAL OF HARMONIC NOISE, which claims a priority benefit, under 35U.S.C. §120, to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/367,195 filed Feb.6, 2012, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF HARMONICNOISE,” which applications are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.13/366,774, titled “Method and Apparatus for Storing Energy,” filed Feb.6, 2012, which application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Power transmission lines generally have small amounts of harmonic noise(e.g., 120 Hz, 360 Hz). The harmonic noise, which occurs at multiples ofthe base frequency (for example multiples of 60 Hz) may result from avariety of activities including power transmission line switchoperations, which may generate noise in a transmission that is on theorder of 100 Hz or greater. Harmonic noise may also be introduced intothe system by large end users.

Systems, such as flywheel systems, generally fail to correct noise onthis order. Some implementations for removing harmonic noise include theuse of noise filters locally installed by end users. While filtrationsystems may result in cleaner electrical power (power closer to aspecified frequency), such systems generally attenuate the unwantedfrequency in a manner that generates overall system losses and thatreduce the overall power and efficiency of the delivered electricalenergy.

SUMMARY

The inventors have appreciated that harmonic noise may be removedthrough fast response systems capable of converting energy produced atthe non-conforming, and specifically harmonic frequencies, intopotential energy and generating from that potential energy, electricalenergy at a desired frequency.

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure is directed toapparatuses and methods for removing harmonic noise from an electricalsignal transmitted by a power transmission line, wherein the electricalsignal includes electricity at a primary frequency.

In some exemplary inventive embodiments disclosed herein, the apparatusfor removing harmonic noise from a power transmission line transmittingelectricity at a primary frequency includes a filter configured toseparate electricity at a harmonic of the primary frequency from theelectricity transmitted by the power transmission line. The apparatusfurther includes a controller coupled to the filter and to an actuator.The controller modulates consumption of the electricity at the harmonicof the primary frequency from the power transmission line byelectrically actuating the actuator, such that the electrical actuationof the actuator causes consumption of electrical energy at the harmonicof the primary frequency. The actuator is coupled to an elasticallydeformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuatorgenerates tension in the elastically deformable component.

In some embodiments, the filter may further be configured to pass theelectricity at the primary frequency through the filter and back to thepower transmission line. In some embodiments, the apparatus may includea sensor for measuring noise in the power transmission line, the noisecharacterized by a frequency distinct from the primary frequency.

In some embodiments, the actuator-generator includes at least one of anelectro-hydraulic component, an electromechanical component, anelectromagnetic, or an electro-fluidic component. In some embodiments,the actuator generator includes a piezoelectric component.

In some embodiments, the elastically deformable component is a cable.The actuator may be coupled to an end of the cable. The actuator may becoupled to the cable at a point on the cable disposed between a firstend of the cable and a second end of the cable. The actuator may becoupled to the cable at a first end of the cable and a second end of thecable. The cable may be a non-rotating cable, a monolithic cable, astranded cable, a straight stranded cable, or a twisted stranded cable.The cable may have a circular cross-section, a rectangularcross-section, or a ribbon-like cross-section. The cable may be composedof steel, an organic polymer, a synthetic polymer, such as Kevlar(poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide), or Zylon (poly-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), or of a carbon fiber, such as carbon nanotubes. Thecable may be configured in a plurality of folds and may include aplurality of bearings on which the cable configured in a plurality offolds is disposed. The apparatus may include one of a force, torsion, ormoment bearing support. The cable may be a hanging cable and may bepre-tensioned. The cable may include weights coupled thereto.

In some embodiments, the actuator is coupled to the elasticallydeformable component, such that electrical actuation of theactuator-generator generates torsional tension in the elasticallydeformable component. In some embodiments, the actuator is coupled tothe elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation ofthe actuator generates linear tension to the elastically deformablecomponent.

In various embodiments, apparatus for removing harmonic noise mayinclude a housing in which at least a portion of the elasticallydeformable component and the actuator-generator are disposed.

In various embodiments, the actuator-generator includes a rotary motorand in some embodiments, the actuator includes a linear motor.

The actuator may be configured to maintain the tension applied to theelastically deformable component and may include at least one of abrake, a releasable ratchet, or a movable pin actuatable to maintain thetension generated in the elastically deformable component in thetensioned state.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a sensor coupled to atleast one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator, thesensor configured to measure a force or torque applied by the actuatorto generate the tension in the elastically deformable component. In someembodiments the apparatus may include a strain gauge coupled to theelastically deformable component for measuring strain, which may includelinear or shear strain, in the elastically component.

The actuator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, suchthat electrical actuation of the actuator causes application of atransverse force to the elastically deformable component in accordancewith various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a generator coupled tothe at least one elastically deformable component, such that mechanicalactuation of the generator via a release of tension in the elasticallydeformable component, causes a generation of electricity by the actuatorgenerator. In some embodiments the actuator and the generator arecoupled. In some embodiments, the generator is further configured togenerate electricity at the primary frequency. In some embodiments thegenerator is further configured to generate electricity at the harmonicfrequency.

Other exemplary embodiments include providing an apparatus for removingharmonic noise from an electrical signal transmitted by a powertransmission line, the electrical signal transmitting electricity at aprimary frequency, include a filter sensor configured to separateelectricity at a harmonic of the primary frequency from the electricalsignal transmitted by the power transmission line. The apparatus alsoincludes a controller coupled to the filter and to a power transducer,the controller configured to modulate consumption of electrical energyfrom the electrical signal, the consumption controlled by electricalactuation of the power transducer, such that electrical energy separatedby the filter is consumed through the electrical actuation of the powertransducer. The power transducer may be coupled to an elasticallydeformable component, such that electrical actuation of the powertransducer generates tension in the elastically deformable component.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, the apparatus for removing harmonicnoise from a power transmission line transmitting electricity at aprimary frequency includes a filter configured to separate electricityat a harmonic of the primary frequency from the electricity transmittedby the power transmission line. The apparatus further includes acontroller coupled to the filter and to an actuator-generator. Thecontroller modulates consumption of the electricity from the powertransmission line by electrically actuating the actuator-generator, suchthat the electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causesconsumption of the separated electricity at the harmonic frequency ofthe primary frequency. The actuator-generator is coupled to anelastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of theactuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformablecomponent.

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for removing harmonicnoise from an electrical signal transmitted by a power transmissionline, where the electrical signal transmits electricity at a primaryfrequency. The methods include separating, via a filter, electricity ata harmonic of the primary frequency from the electrical signaltransmitted by the power transmission line. The methods further includemodulating consumption of electrical energy from the electrical signal,the consumption controlled by electrical actuation of a motor coupled toan elastically deformable component, the consumption modulated such thatthe separated electrical energy at a harmonic of the primary frequencyare consumed through the electrical actuation of the motor. The motormay be coupled to the elastically deformable component, such thatelectrically actuating the motor causes the motor to generated tensionin the elastically deformable component.

The methods may further include actuating a generator coupled to theelastically deformable component via restoring force produced by theelastically deformable component during a release of at least part ofthe tension applied to the elastically deformable component, wherebyelectricity is generated.

In some embodiments, methods may include regulating the modulation andactuation of the electrical generator via a controller.

In some embodiments, the methods may include transmitting theelectricity generated by the generator to the electrical signaltransmitted by the power transmission line.

In various embodiments, the motor and the generator are coupled. Themotor may include a drive shaft coupled to the generator in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the harmonic may be at an interval of 60 Hz, 50 Hz,or 10 Hz.

Exemplary inventive embodiments also provide a computer program product.The computer program product includes computer readable code stored on atangible storage medium. The computer readable code forms a computerprogram executable by a computer for removing harmonic noise from apower transmission line transmitting electricity at a primary frequency.The computer program includes computer code for a filter to separateelectricity at a harmonic of the primary frequency from the electricalsignal transmitted by the power transmission line. The computer programfurther includes computer code for causing modulation of consumption ofelectricity from the power transmission line, the consumption controlledby electrical actuation of a motor coupled to an elastically deformablecomponent, the consumption modulated such that the separated electricityat a harmonic of the primary frequency is consumed through theelectrical actuation of the motor. The motor may be coupled to theelastically deformable component, such that electrically actuating theactuator generator causes the motor to generate tension in theelastically deformable component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a powertransmission line, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 provides an exemplary signal containing harmonic noise, whichinventive embodiments may be implemented to remove.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a powertransmission line, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a harmonic noise removal system having torsionalenergy storage and generation components, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a harmonic noise removal system having linearly actuatedenergy storage and generation components, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a harmonic noise removal system having a linear actuatorconfigured to translate along the axis of an energy storage component,in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a harmonic noise removalapparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

The features and advantages of the inventive concepts disclosed hereinwill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, inventive apparatuses, methods, andsystems for removing harmonic noise. It should be appreciated thatvarious concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail belowmay be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the disclosed conceptsare not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples ofspecific implementations and applications are provided primarily forillustrative purposes.

Various inventive embodiments disclosed herein are directed generally tomethods and apparatuses for removing harmonic noise from a powertransmission line.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a powertransmission line, in accordance with one embodiment. Harmonic noiseremoval apparatus 100 includes a sensor 140 coupled to the powertransmission line to characterize the frequencies transmitted by thepower transmission line. In some embodiments, a second sensor may bedisposed in the line for post-filtration characterization to determinethe effectiveness of the filter or the quality of newly producedelectrical energy. Harmonic noise removal apparatus 100 further includesa harmonic noise filter 101. The harmonic noise filter may include, butis not limited to, a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, or acombination thereof, namely a band-pass filter. By way of example, thelow-pass filter may allow frequencies substantially below 60 Hz to passthrough and continue transmitting through the power transmission line.The filter may include multiple band-passes that specifically preventharmonics of the primary or fundamental frequency from passing throughand continuing transmitting frequencies 110 at or below 60 Hz, forexample, through the power transmission line. The frequencies at thespecified harmonic may be routed to motor-generator 102 where the powermay be used to actuate the motor of motor-generator 102. Themotor-generator may be configured specifically to operate at thespecified frequencies (or within a range of frequencies) correspondingto the frequencies removed from the power transmission line.

The power 107 harvested from the power transmission line 105 and used toelectrically actuate the motor of motor generator 102 may be stored aspotential energy upon actuation of the motor-generator. Motor-generator102 is coupled to elastically deformable component 103 to generatetension therein, which tension may be temporally maintained and releasedas required. In some embodiments, the generator of the motor-generator102 may be configured to generate electrical energy at the primaryfrequency which energy may be re-introduced via transmission 108 topower transmission line 104 as “clean” power for consumption byend-users 109 operating at the primary frequency, for example 60 Hz. Insome embodiments, the harmonic noise removal system may be disposedwithin a housing 106.

FIG. 2 provides an exemplary signal containing harmonic noise, whichvarious embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented to remove. Thefundamental or primary frequency 201 represents the frequency that mostend-users are consuming energy at and hence is the desired transmissionfrequency. Due to various anomalies in production and consumption,harmonic noise 202, which includes frequencies (here depicted as a3^(rd) order harmonic) at a harmonic of the fundament frequency, may beintroduced into the transmission of a power transmission line. Thefiltration system, in accordance with inventive embodiments, allowselectricity at the primary frequency 202 pass through to the end users(109 in FIG. 1). The filter re-directs the higher ordered harmonic noise202 for consumption by motor-generator 102, which may be used to storethe energy as elastic potential energy through the application oftension to an elastically deformable component coupled to themotor-generator.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a powertransmission line, in accordance with one embodiment. Once themotor-generator stores energy in an elastically deformable component103, through actuation of the motor by the harmonic noise 202, theenergy may be re-released into the generator 102 to produce cleanelectricity at the primary frequency 201. Alternatively, as demonstratedin FIG. 3 the energy may be stored and subsequently used, viamotor-generator 302 of apparatus 300 to generate electrical energy 303at a harmonic frequency for use by harmonic-frequency end users 301.

FIGS. 4-6 demonstrate a range of energy storage and generation systemsfor implementation in various harmonic noise removal systems. Asdescribed above, the disclosed storage and generation systems may beused to generate electricity at the fundamental or primary frequency ora higher order frequencies such as at the harmonic frequencies tosatisfy second and third order or higher frequency demand requirementsby various users operating at frequencies distinct from the primaryfrequency transmitted on the grid.

FIG. 4 illustrates a harmonic noise removal system having torsionalenergy storage and generation components, in accordance with oneembodiment. The torsional energy storage and generation components ofapparatus 400 are connected to a power source in the form of a powertransmission line 105. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the energystorage and generation apparatus 400 includes an elastically deformablecomponent 401. Elastically deformable component 401 may be composed of acable. The elastically deformable member is coupled to an actuator inthe form of a combined motor-generator 402 in the depicted embodiment.Motor-generator 402 is a rotary actuator in the illustrated exemplaryembodiment. In accordance with various inventive embodiments,elastically deformable member 401 may be coupled to a distinct motor oractuator and a distinct generator. Motor-generator 402 is coupled tocomponent 401 for rotatably applying torsion tension (referenced byactuation direction 411) to component 401. Motor-generator is coupled toan extremity of component 401 in the illustrated embodiment. Theextremity of component 401 opposing the extremity coupled tomotor-actuator 402 is coupled to a stationary structure to assist in thetwisting of the component 401 upon actuation of the end coupled to themotor-generator. As such, upon rotary actuation of the motor-generator402, component 401 is twisted in opposition to a return force urging areturn of the component to its untwisted configuration. Themotor-generator is anchored via base 405 to a stationary structure 406to maintain the motor in a stationary orientation when torsional tensionis applied to component 401.

The motor-generator 402 is actuated via electrical energy transmittedfrom a power transmission line 105, specifically via filtered electricalenergy at a harmonic frequency of the primary frequency. Motor-generator402 may be specially adapted for operation at the harmonic frequency invarious embodiments. In some embodiments, energy storage and generationapparatus 400, may be disposed in a housing coupled directly to autility pole carrying the power transmission line and may be directly orindirectly coupled to the power transmission line. In embodiments wherethe motor-generator is indirectly coupled to the power transmissionline, intermediate components such as transformers or rectifiers may bedisposed between the power transmission line 105 and the motor-generator402.

The motor-generator 402 may be actuated for power regulation, forexample when more power is being produced than is required. Particularlyin response to a decrease in demand or an increase in capacity, variousembodiments described herein may be utilized as a mechanism fortemporarily storing a portion of the excess energy through consumptionby the motor-generator for elastically stretching component 401. Upon anincrease in demand and a decrease in capacity, the stored energy may berapidly released to provide a quick substitute for the energy generationcapacity.

Motor-generator 402 generally includes two primary components, whichinclude a rotor and a stator. Either the rotor or the stator mayconstitute the armature or the magnetic field. The magnetic field may becreated via field coils, which may be powered via a portion of theelectricity from the power transmission line. Electricity from the powertransmission line may also provide an electric current to drive themagnetic field. The motor portion of the motor-generator may comprise anAC or a DC motor, including, but not limited to, multiphase,asynchronous and synchronous AC motors. In some embodiments, the motormay include a brake component to hold the twisted component 401 in thestrained configuration. The brake may directly constrain the rotor ofthe motor in various embodiments. In other embodiments, as disclosedfurther herein, the brake may constrain component 401 and may include asystem that is integral or separate from the motor-generator 402 andcomponent 401.

Component 401 may be held in the twisted configuration for the requiredtimeframe and released upon command. The control of the motor-generator402 including actuation and release may be controlled via a controller.The controller may be a local controller or may include a remotelycontrolled system. At the appropriate command, the twisted component 401may be released. The restoring force exerted by the release of thetwisted component may be used to mechanically move the rotor of themotor-generator, such that motion of the magnetic field induces anelectrical current to flow in the coils previously powered by powertransmission line. The current induced by the mechanical motion of therotor may be directed back towards the power transmission line andthereby inserted back into the power in the electrical grid.

With reference to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, a capacitor 412 mayalso be included to store energy that is in excess of what the tensionin the wire may elastically hold. For example, if the power required tobe shed from the grid to maintain the power transmission line operatingat the right power level and frequency exceeds that storable by tensionin component 402, at least a portion of the tension may be released tocharge the capacitor 412 and the excess energy from the grid may be usedto recharge and re-apply tension to component 402. The tension in thecable may be monitored, for example via a strain gauged or other sensor,for determining when the capacity of the elastically deformablecomponent has been reached. Such a regime for sharing power between adevice such as a capacitor 412 and the elastically deformable component402, affords increased overall capacity of system 400. In someembodiments, power generated by the restoring force of tensionedcomponent may be used to magnetize the field magnets. Power input intomotor-generator 402 and power output from motor-generator 402 may befacilitated via connections 404, which may link to a central connectioninterface 407 coupled to power transmission line 105. As mentioned,electrical energy 409 may be transmitted to apparatus 400 from the powertransmission line 105 and electrical energy 408 may be transmitted tothe power transmission line 105 from apparatus 400.

A control system may be provided for controlling the consumption andgeneration of electrical energy by apparatus 400. The control system maybe connected to a sensor for monitoring the frequency of the powertransmitted in the power transmission line 105. The information receivedfrom the sensor may be used to initiate, increase, or decrease energyconsumption as needed to maintain the power transmission line at aspecific frequency. The control system may implement a computer program,which may be configured to control operation of a plurality of energystorage and generation apparatuses.

FIG. 5 shows a harmonic noise removal system having linearly actuatedenergy storage and generation components, in accordance with oneinventive embodiment. The linearly actuated motor generator 502translates in a direction transverse to the axis of an energy storagecomponent, according to one inventive embodiment. Motor-generator 502,which may simply include a motor in some embodiments having a separategenerator, actuates linearly. As demonstrated in FIG. 5, linearlyactuating motor 502 via electrical energy transmitted from powertransmission line 105 causes the motor (or at least a portion thereof)to move in a direction that traverses the axis of elastically deformablecomponent 501, as indicated by arrow 507. Because component 501 iscoupled to motor-generator 502 via coupler 504, which may permitrotation, as motor 502 is actuated component 501 is stretched laterallyand the tension in component 501 is thereby increased. Accordingly, arestoring force is acting on component 501, which is anchored at anchors503, which force is proportionate to the lateral displacement of aportion of component 501 from its neutral location. As furtherdemonstrated, motor-generator 502 may be disposed on tracks 505, rigidlycoupled to support structures 506. Tracks 505 maintain properlyalignment of motor generator 502. Furthermore, because of the linear andpossibly reciprocating motion that may be exerted on motor-generator502, tracks 505 may include coils within which electrical current may beinduced for the generation of electricity as a magnetic field inmotor-generator 502 passes the coils via the exertion from the restoringforce of stretched component 501. The input current for electricallyactuating motor-generator 502 to displace the motor-generator andtension component 501 may be input through coils in tracks 505.Inputting and inducing current into coils 505 may be advantageous overinputting current into motor-generator and creating a magnetic field attracks 505 in some implementations, as this allows the primary coils andhence the wires connected thereto to remain stationary.

FIG. 6 shows a harmonic noise removal system having a linear actuatorthat translates along the axis of an energy storage component inaccordance with one embodiment. Motor-generator 602 of apparatus 600,which may simply include a motor in some embodiments having a separategenerator, also actuates linearly. However, in contrast to theembodiment demonstrated in FIG. 5, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, whenlinearly actuated via electrical energy transmitted from powertransmission line 105 causes the motor (or at least a portion thereof)to move in a direction along or parallel to the axis of elasticallydeformable component 601 as indicated by arrow 607. FIG. 6 furtherdemonstrates independent braking components 604. Brake 604 may beactuated to exert inward and oppositely opposed forces on component 601.This clamping force may be applied after extension to maintain thepotential energy in stretched component 601, without requiring the motorand bearing components therein to sustain high axial forces applied bythe restoring force of the tensioned component 601 on the motor orbearing contained therein. As described in connection with FIG. 5,motor-generator 602 may be disposed on one or more tracks 605, whichtracks may include coils within which electrical current may be inducedfor the generation of electricity as a magnetic field in motor-generator602 passes the coils via the exertion from the restoring force ofstretched component 601. The input current for electrically actuatingmotor-generator 602 to displace the motor-generator and tensioncomponent 601 may be input through coils in tracks 605.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a harmonic noise removalapparatus, in accordance with one embodiment. The harmonic noise removalapparatus 700 is configured to remove harmonic noise from an electricalsignal transmitted by a power transmission line, where the electricalsignal transmits electricity at a primary frequency. Apparatus 700includes a filter 701 configured to separate electricity at a harmonicof the primary frequency from the electrical signal transmitted by thepower transmission line. Apparatus 700 also includes a controller 702coupled to filter 701. Controller 702 is also coupled to actuator 703.Controller 702 is configured to control consumption by actuator 703, ofelectricity at the harmonic of the primary frequency obtained fromfilter 701 by electrical actuation of actuator 703. Actuator 703 iscoupled to elastically deformable component 704, such that electricalactuation of the actuator by controller 702 causes actuator 703 togenerate tension in the elastically deformable component 704.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The above-described embodiments of the invention can be implemented inany of numerous ways. For example, some embodiments may be implementedusing hardware, software or a combination thereof. When any aspect of anembodiment is implemented at least in part in software, the softwarecode can be executed on any suitable processor or collection ofprocessors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed amongmultiple computers.

In this respect, various aspects of the invention may be embodied atleast in part as a computer readable storage medium (or multiplecomputer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or morefloppy discs, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tapes, flashmemories, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arrays orother semiconductor devices, or other tangible computer storage mediumor non-transitory medium) encoded with one or more programs that, whenexecuted on one or more computers or other processors, perform methodsthat implement the various embodiments of the technology discussedabove. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, suchthat the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one ormore different computers or other processors to implement variousaspects of the present technology as discussed above.

The terms “program” or “software” are used herein in a generic sense torefer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executableinstructions that can be employed to program a computer or otherprocessor to implement various aspects of the present technology asdiscussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that accordingto one aspect of this embodiment, one or more computer programs thatwhen executed perform methods of the present technology need not resideon a single computer or processor, but may be distributed in a modularfashion amongst a number of different computers or processors toimplement various aspects of the present technology.

Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modulesmay be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, ofwhich at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as partof the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly,embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an orderdifferent than illustrated, which may include performing some actssimultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrativeembodiments.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order orelements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made by one of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from an electrical signal transmitted by a power transmission line, the electrical signal transmitting electricity at a primary frequency, the apparatus comprising: a filter configured to separate electricity into a first separated electrical signal from a predetermined frequency band around the primary frequency, from the electrical signal transmitted by the power transmission line; and a controller coupled to the filter and to an actuator, the controller configured to control consumption of the first separated electrical signal, the consumption controlled by electrical actuation of the actuator, such that electrical energy from the first separated electrical signal is consumed through the electrical actuation of the actuator, wherein the actuator is coupled to an elastically deformable component and a capacitor, such that electrical actuation of the actuator generates tension in the elastically deformable component and energy in excess of an energy storage capacity of the elastically deformable component is stored in the capacitor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter is configured to pass the electricity at the primary frequency through the filter and back to the power transmission line.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for measuring noise in the power transmission line, the noise characterized by a frequency distinct from the primary frequency.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes at least one of an electro-hydraulic component, an electromechanical component, an electromagnetic component, or an electro-fluidic component.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a piezoelectric component.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator generates torsional tension in the elastically deformable component.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator generates linear tension in the elastically deformable component.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing in which at least a portion of the elastically deformable component and the actuator are disposed.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a rotary motor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a linear motor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is further configured to maintain the tension generated in the elastically deformable component.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a brake, a releasable ratchet, or a movable pin actuatable to maintain the tension generated in the elastically deformable component.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator, the at least one sensor configured to measure a force applied by the actuator to generate the tension in the elastically deformable component.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator, the at least one sensor configured to measure a torque applied by the actuator to induce the tension in the elastically deformable component.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator, the at least one sensor configured to measure stress in the elastically deformable component.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge coupled to the elastically deformable component for measuring strain in the elastically component.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge coupled to the elastically deformable component for measuring linear strain in the elastically deformable component.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge coupled to the elastically deformable component for measuring shear strain in the elastically deformable component.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator causes application of a transverse force to the elastically deformable component.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a generator coupled to the at least one elastically deformable component, such that mechanical actuation of the generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component, causes a generation of electricity by the generator.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the actuator and the generator are coupled.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the generator is configured to generate electricity at the primary frequency.
 23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the generator is configured to generate electricity at a harmonic frequency.
 24. An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from an electrical signal transmitted by a power transmission line, the electrical signal transmitting electricity at a primary frequency, the apparatus comprising: a filter configured to separate electricity into a first separated electrical signal from a predetermined frequency band around the primary frequency, from the electrical signal transmitted by the power transmission line; and a controller coupled to the filter and to a power transducer, the controller configured to control consumption of the first separated electrical signal, the consumption controlled by electrical actuation of the power transducer, such that electrical energy from the first separated electrical signal is consumed through the electrical actuation of the power transducer, wherein the power transducer is coupled to an elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the power transducer generates tension in the elastically deformable component, wherein the elastically deformable component is a cable.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the filter is configured to pass the electricity at the primary frequency through the filter and back to the power transmission line.
 26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a sensor for measuring noise in the power transmission line, the noise characterized by a frequency distinct from the primary frequency.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power transducer includes at least one of an electro-hydraulic component, an electromechanical component, an electromagnetic component, or an electro-fluidic component.
 28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power transducer includes a piezoelectric component.
 29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power transducer is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the power transducer generates torsional tension in the elastically deformable component.
 30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power transducer is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the power transducer generates linear tension in the elastically deformable component.
 31. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a housing in which at least a portion of the elastically deformable component and the power transducer are disposed.
 32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the power transducer is further configured to maintain the tension generated in the elastically deformable component.
 33. An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a power transmission line transmitting electricity at a primary frequency, the apparatus comprising: a filter configured to separate electricity into a first separated electrical signal from a predetermined frequency band around the primary frequency, from the electricity transmitted by the power transmission line; and a controller coupled to the filter and to an actuator-generator, the controller configured to control consumption of the electricity, the consumption controlled by electrical actuation of the actuator-generator, such that the electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes consumption of the first separated electrical signal, wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to an elastically deformable component and a capacitor, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes an application of tension to the elastically deformable component and energy in excess of an energy storage capacity of the elastically deformable component is stored in the capacitor. 